Spain’s Caixabank aims to de-list Portugal’s BPI

MADRID (Reuters) – Spanish lender Caixabank (CABK.MC) said on Sunday it has agreed to increase its majority stake in BPI (BBPI.LS) and aims for a full takeover before de-listing the Portuguese bank.

FILE PHOTO: An Estelada (Catalan separatist flag) is seen on a balcony near a Caixa bank branch in Barcelona, Spain October 6, 2017. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo

Spain’s third-largest bank has agreed to pay 178 million euros ($212.85 million) for that stake – valuing each BPI share at 1.45 euros – for a premium of 22.67 percent to the stock’s closing price on May 4.

People walk near a branch of Portugal’s Portuguese Investment Bank (BPI) in Lisbon, Portugal, May 11, 2016. REUTERS/Rafael Marchante

Caixabank said in a statement it would buy another 8.4 percent stake from the Portuguese arm of insurer Allianz (ALVG.DE), taking its stake to 92.935 percent. It originally took over BPI in February 2017 in a bid to boost revenue.

Subsequently, Caixabank will ask BPI’s board to de-list its shares. If the Portuguese bank approves the request, Caixabank will offer to buy all the remaining stock.

Caixabank said it would offer 149.25 million euros for the second tranche of shares, valuing them at the same level as the Allianz quota.